Mobile home anchor

ABSTRACT

Anchor means for producing a downward holding force on mobile home frames to prevent the mobile home from shifting on its support and provide a stability beyond that achieved solely from the weight of the home. The anchor includes a base element adapted to be embedded in a concrete base and a clamp for attachment to the mobile home frame. Linearly adjustable tension producing means in the form of a turnbuckle and chain is interposed between the base element and the frame clamp.

United States Patent [191 Kaywood et a1. 1 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] MOBILE HQME ANCHOR 3,403,487 10/1968 Docter ..52/23 x 1,339,890 5/1920 Hopkins 248/119 R 1 lnvemorSI Roy Y G-Kaywood, 1,887,455 11/1952 Helberg ..52/707x both 0f Stockbridge, Keith P. 1,033,395 7/1912 Harrington..... 248/228 X Clayton,Jackson, all of Mich. 3,335,531 8/1967 Grimelli ..248/361 X 1,780,277 11/1930 Seeley ..248/119 RX [73] Assignee: Kaywood Products Corporation,

Jackson, Mich Primary Examiner-Edward C. Allen Attorney-Beaman & Beaman [22] Filed: Jan. 18, 1971 21 App1.No.: 107,258 [571 ABSTRACT Anchor means for producing a downward holding [52] US. Cl. ..52/295, 52/234527; force on mobile home frames to prevent the mobile Int Cl Eozd 27/32 home from shifting on its support and provide a stabimy beyond that achieved solely from the weight of [58] Field of Search ..248/361 R,.72, 228, 119 R, the home The anchor includes a base element 5 adapted to be embedded 1n a concrete base and a clamp for attachment to the mobile home frame. 5 R f r n Cited Linearly adjustable tension producing means in the form of a turnbuckle and chain is interposed between UNITED STATES PATENTS the base element and the frame clamp.

347,489 8/1886 Kenwa ..248/59 539,266 5/1895 l-larbec lwsw ..24-8/59 10 Chums 5 Dmwmg F'gures 1,072,361 9/1913 Rickman ..248/58 X 2,468,727 5/1949 Bauman ..312/265 X PATENTEUAPR 3 I975 INVENTORS ROY G KAYWOOD ROY H. KAYWOOD KEITH P. CLAYT I ATTORNEYS MOBILE HOME ANCHOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a holddown or anchoring device utilizing a turnbuckle and a chain for permitting adjustment of the length of the anchor.

Due to increased costs, lack of land space, and the mobile nature of our society, modular housing is becoming increasingly popular and the type of home commonly called a mobile home is being extensively employed for dwelling purposes in all parts of the United States. Such mobile homes are usually initially mounted upon wheels and towed to the site of usage behind a towing truck. Once located the mobile home is usually mounted upon blocks or jacks, and the wheels are usually removed. Such homes often exchange ownership without ever leaving the original site of installation, and the home may never be transported except for original installation purposes.

However, regardless of the relative permanence of a typical mobile home installation, the support for the home is often somewhat makeshift and inadequate. For instance, foundations, such as of the type used with a conventional dwelling, are not usually constructed for mobile homes, and as the weight of a mobile home is considerably less than that of a conventional dwelling, the resting of the .mobile home on jacks, or blocks, as is the usual case, does not produce a degree of support and stability sufficient to adequately insure against the mobile home shifting on its support due to normal vibration or wind forces. It is a recognized problem with conventional mobile home installations that the maintaining of a level floor is difficult, and it is possible for the home to slightly shift and move due to movement of the occupants, or other forces.

Anchoring devices which are known are generally utilized for the purposes of preventing the home from being significantly adversely affected by winds of hurricane force, and in regions subject to hurricanes, tiedown devices are known for use with mobile homes. However, in those geographical regions not generally subject to hurricane wind velocities, the added expense of known anchoring devices is not warranted and most mobile homes are not connected to their supporting surface in any manner other than gravitational force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an anchor for mobile homes which is of a simple and economical construction, installable with reasonable ease, and capable of use with a wide variety of mobile homes.

In the practice of the invention the anchor includes a base element which is embedded within a poured concrete base, which may constitute a slab upon which the mobile home is mounted for support. The anchor includes a clamp adapted to be affixed to the lower flange of the I beams which constitute the primary mobile home frame component, and linearly adjustable tension producing means in the form of a turnbuckle and large link chain are interposed between the base element and the frame clamp.

The clamp consists of a pair of members having a hooked upper portion for engagement with theframe flange and the lower portion of the clamp includes a bolt connection adapted to selectively cooperate with one of the chain chain links. In this manner the chain links provide a rough adjustment for adapting the length of the anchor to the particular installation without requirement of the use of special tools or the like. The turnbuckle permits the length of the anchor to be finely adjusted, and the final tension forces within the anchor are produced by the turnbuckle.

The base element is constructed in such a manner that it may be disconnected from the other components of the anchor for embedding within the concrete base, slab or pad. The base element includes an upper surface intersected by a threaded bore wherein the proper alignment of the upper surface with the concrete base surface does not interfere with the surface finishing of the concrete base yet the anchor may be readily affixed to the base element by means of a threaded bore during anchor assembly and installation.

Additionally, means are provided with the clamp to permit the clamp to be readily adjusted to accommodate various widths of frame flanges, and the entire unit is so constructed as to permit shipping in a concise package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned advantages and objects of the invention will be appreciated from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical mobile home installation using the anchor of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly sectioned, illustrating a typical installation of the anchor,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detail, elevational view of the clamp, as taken from the left of FIG. 4,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail, partly sectioned, end elevational view of the clamp, illustrating the frame flange in dotted lines, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, detail, perspective view of the base element and associated eye bolt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a typical installation for a mobile home wherein the anchor in accord with the invention may be utilized. A poured concrete slab 10 serves as the support for the mobile home 12 and this slab will usually be poured in a recess within the ground such that the upper surface 14 of the slab substantially corresponds with the ground level. Of course, the slab may be disposed above ground level, or the slab could, instead of being a single piece, consist of several smaller pieces which may take the form of pads or the like located below the mobile home.

In FIG. 1 the wheels 16 are illustrated, but in a permanent installation such wheels would most likely be removed and a skirt or otherdecorative means is often located around about the lower edge of the home to shield the underside thereof from view. Such a skirt is omitted from FIG. 1 for purpose of illustration. Once the mobile home is located upon the slab l0 jacks or blocks are used to provide the support therefor and to maintain the home on a horizontal plane, and blocks 18 are illustrated. In a typical mobile home construction at least two I beams constitute the primary components of the frame, and these I beamsextent longitudinally of the home in spaced, parallel relationship and are usually interconnected by truss elements and placed directly below the I beam for the support thereof.

The assembly constituting the anchor in accord with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes a base element generally indicated at 22, a clamp member at 24 and linearly adjustable tension producing structure at 26. These three components constitute the complete assembly of the anchor and are sold as a unit, usually eight anchors being required for each mobile home, although a greater number may be used.

The base element 22 is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and is preferably formed of a steel cylindrical rod substantially 3 9% inches in length and five-eighths inch in diameter. The rod includes an axially extending threaded bore 28 which intersects the upper end 30 of the base element, and this bore provides the connection with the other anchor components. In order to resist axial movement of the base element within the concrete slab or pad in which it is embedded a pair of diametrical holes 32 are formed through the element 22 below the thread bore 28 for receiving a pair of pins 34. During packaging and shipping the pins 34 are not located in the holes but are loosely confined within the bag or box containing the anchor components. Prior to placing the base element in position for pouring the concrete base the pins are centrally located within the holes and spring steel fastening elements 36 of the Tinnerman type are pressed over the pins against the base element outer surface maintaining the pins in the desired position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The base element is embedded within the poured concrete slab 10, pad or similar structure which constitutes the base for the anchor and the element 22 is located such that the upper surface 30 thereof coincides with the upper surface 14 of the concrete slab. In this manner the base element does not interfere with the surface finishing of the slab.

The clamp member 24 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and cooperates with the lower flange 38 of an I beam of the mobile home frame. The clamp member consists of a pair of clamping elements 40 of identical configuration, which may be formed of stamped heavy gauge sheet metal. The clamping elements each include an upper portion having a hook 42 defined therein adapted to extend over the edges of the I beam flange 38 in the manner apparent in FIGS. 2 and 4. Intermediate portions 44 of the elements 40 extend toward each other in a converging manner and thereupon extend downwardly defining lower portions 46. Reinforcing ridges 48 are preferably formed on the clamping elements, and'the length of the intermediate portions 44 is such that the lower portions 46 will not engage each other even when the flange 38 is of the minimum width employed with mobile homes.

The clamp element portions include holes 60 and are interconnected by a bolt 50 received in holes 60 which is threaded along the majority of its length and nut 52 cooperates with the bolt to maintain the assembly, the degree of spacing between the lower portions 46, and hence the hook portions 42, is determined by spacer sleeve means 54 of tubular form mounted upon the .bolt 50. In FIG. 4 the spacer takes the maximum length form supplied with the anchor and is in two individual portions 56 and 58 of unequal length. The sleeve means 54 will determine the spacing between the clamped elements appropriate for the particular width of beam flange 38 with which the anchor is associated.

The dimensions of the I beams 20 used by various mobile home manufacturers vary, and by supplying sleeve portions 56 and 58 with each anchor three spacing adjustments between the clamped elements may be readily achieved. The maximum spacing is indicated in FIG. 4 where both portions 56 and 58 are utilized. Minimum spacing is achieved by using only the sleeve 58, while intermediate spacing is produced when only the sleeve 56 is mounted upon the bolt 50. Such adjustment of the clamping elements permits an effective clamping relationship between the clamp and the frame beam flange for all known sizes of flanges used by mobile home manufacturers.

The linear adjustable tension producing means 26 interconnecting the base element 22 and the clamping member 24 takes the form of a turnbuckle and chain unit. The turnbuckle 62 may be of a conventional form utilizing oppositely threaded eye bolts 64 and 66 at the ends thereof. The eye bolt 66 cooperates with a lower eye bolt 68 adapted to be threaded into the threaded bore 28 of the base element 22, FIGS. 2 and 5. The upper eye bolt 64 is permanently connected to the lowermost link of chain 70, and the chain constitutes the means for connecting the turnbuckle to the clamp member 24. In order to provide maximum strength, to prevent disassembly during shipping and to render the entire anchor a complete assembly the ends of the eyes of eye bolts 64, 66 and 68 are welded to their associatedshank as at 74. Alternately, forged eye bolts with closed eyes could be employed. The chain links 72 are of sufficient size and opening to permit the bolt 50 and sleeve means 54 to extend therethrough such that a selected chain link may be placed upon the sleeve means as is apparent in FIGS. 2 and 5. As any of the chain links may be selectively connected to the clamp member the chain permits a rough adjustment of the length of the'anchor insuring that the anchor will accommodate all known height variations of beam distances from the concrete slab base 10 for the various mobile homes manufactured. As apparent in FIG. 2, the extra chain links 72 will lie alongside the tensioned links when an operative chain length less than the maximum length is employed.

Use of the invention is generally simple and readily accomplished. The base element 22 is embedded in the concrete slab 10 directly below the location of the I beam 20 to which the anchor is to be affixed, and as previously mentioned, the upper end 30 will usually be in substantial alignment with the surface 14 of the slab. At this time the eye bolt 68 .is not threaded into the base element, but the threaded bore 28 is accessible. After the slab has hardened and the mobile home 12 is located thereon, the desired block 18, jacks or other supports are positioned below the beams 20 and the eye bolt 68 is threaded into the base element bore 28. The clamp members 24 are then attached to the beam flanges 38 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the desired spacer sleeves are used to achieve the proper spacing of the clamp elements for the associated beam flange. Simultaneously with the selection of a sleeve length, the desired chain link 72 to be employed is placed upon the sleeve means 54. The nut 52 is then placed upon the bolt and tightened to firmly connect the clamp to the I beam. The turnbuckle 62 will be in an extended condition and the anchor is now in condition for tensioning. The operator grasps the turnbuckle 62 and rotates the same in a tightening direction by hand pressure. Tightening of the turnbuckle continues until the tension within the anchor precludes further manual tightening, and tensioning to such an extent as to deform the I beam or beam flange is to be avoided. With hand force it is possible to develope a substantial tension force.

The downward force imposed on the mobile home frame by the use of a plurality of anchoring devices in accord with the invention prevents the mobile home from normal shifting with respect to its supporting blocks or jacks, results in a much more stable installation as compared to those where gravitational force is solely relied upon and movement and creaking of the mobile home due to occupant movement is minimized. Under testing conditions conducted by the inventors, wind forces of ordinary velocities imposed on the mobile home were effectively resisted and vibration did not cause the home to shift on its blocks. The anchors are of an inexpensive construction, yet the interconnection of the components by the use of eye bolts and the like reasonably simplifies handling, assembly and installation.

It is appreciated that various modifications to the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

We claim:

1. An anchor for mobile homes having a frame wherein the anchor is adapted to be mounted upon a base located below the mobile home frame comprising, in combination, a base element adapted to be affixed to a base, a clamp member having clamping elements connectable to the mobile home frame, said clamp member comprising means for clamping the lower flange of a mobile home I beam frame and including a pair of spaced clamping elements each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower spacing and tension producing means connecting portion, a tubular spacing sleeve interposed between said clamping ele-.

ments lower portions, a bolt extending through said sleeve and said lower portions maintaining the assembly of said clamping elements upon the frame beamsecting said upper surface -for receiving said tension producing means whereby said base element may be embedded in a concrete base with said upper surface and threaded bore accessible for receiving said tension producing means.

3. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 2 wherein said base element is of an elongated configuration, at least one hole defined insaid base element transverse to said threaded bore, a pin slidably mounted within hole and extending therefrom defining said tension resisting means and manually operated retaining means mounted on said pin retaining said pin within said hole.

4. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said linearly adjustable tension producing means comprises a turnbuckle and a chain.

5. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said linearly adjustable tension producing means include a threaded bolt received within said threaded bore, a turnbuckle connected to said threaded bolt and a link chain connected to said turnbuckle and attached to said clamp member by a selected link.

6. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises a pair of tubular separable portions of unequal longitudinal length.

7. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said clamp member comprises means for clamping the lower flange of a mobile home I beam frame, a pair of said clamping elements constituting said clamping means and each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower tension producing means connecting portion, a hook defined at each of said clamping elements upper portions for engaging a flange of the mobile home frame, said hooks being separated by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of the frame flange and the distance between said clamping elements lower portions being less than that separating said hooks whereby said clamping elements are of a converging configuration from said upper portions to said lower portions.

8. In combination, a mobile home having an underframe comprising an I beam frame, a base located below said mobile home disposed vertically below said underframe, a base element affixed to said base, a clamp member comprising means for clamping the lower flange of said I beam frame, a pair of spaced clamping elements constituting said clamping means and each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower spacing and tension producing means connecting portion, a tubular spacing sleeve interposed between said clamping element's lower portions, and a bolt extending through said sleeve and said lower por tions maintaining the assembly of said clamping elements upon the frame beam lower flange, and linearly adjustable tension producing means interposed between and connected to said base element and said sleeve.

9. In a combination as in claim 8 wherein said sleeve comprises a pair of tubular separable portions of unequal longitudinal length.

10. In combination, a mobile home having an underframe comprising an I beam frame having a lower flange, a base located below said mobile home disposed vertically below said underframe I beam frame, a base element embedded in said base, a clamp member comprising a pair of spaced clamping elements each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower tension producing means connecting portion, a hook defined at each of said clamping elements upper portions for engaging the lower flange of the I beam frame, said hooks being separated by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of the I beam frame flange and the distance between said clamping elements lower porthe assembly of said clamping eleme nts upon said I beam frame lower flange, a chain having a link mounted on said sleeve, and a turnbuckle connected to said chain and said base element for producing tension within said chain. 

1. An anchor for mobile homes having a frame wherein the anchor is adapted to be mounted upon a base located below the mobile home frame comprising, in combination, a base element adapted to be affixed to a base, a clamp member having clamping elements connectable to the mobile home frame, said clamp member comprising means for clamping the lower flange of a mobile home I beam frame and including a pair of spaced clamping elements each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower spacing and tension producing means connecting portion, a tubular spacing sleeve interposed between said clamping elements lower portions, a bolt extending through said sleeve and said lower portions maintaining the assembly of said clamping elements upon the frame beam lower flange, and linearly adjustable tension producing means interposed between and connected to said base element and said clamp member for connecting a mobile home frame to a base located below the frame, said linearly adjustable tension producing means being attached to said clamp member about said sleeve.
 2. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said base element includes an upper surface, and a threaded bore defined in said base element intersecting said upper surface for receiving said tension producing means whereby said base element may be embedded in a concrete base with said upper surface and threaded bore accessible for receiving said tension producing means.
 3. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 2 wherein said base element is of an elongated configuration, at least one hole defined in said base element transverse to said threaded bore, a pin slidably mounted within hole and extending therefrom defining said tension resisting means and manually operated retaining means mounted on said pin retaining said pin within said hole.
 4. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said linearly adjustable tension producing means comprises a turnbuckle and a chain.
 5. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said linearly adjustable tension producing means include a threaded bolt received within said threaded bore, a turnbuckle connected to said threaded bolt and a link chain connected to said turnbuckle and attached to said clamp member by a selected link.
 6. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises a pair of tubular separable portions of unequal longitudinal length.
 7. In an anchor for mobile homes as in claim 1 wherein said clamp member comprises means for clamping the lower flange of a mobile home I beam frame, a pair of said clamping elements constituting said clamping means and each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower tension producing means connecting portion, a hook defined at each of said clamping elements'' upper portions for engaging a flange of the mobile home frame, said hooks being separated by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of the frame flange and the distance between said clamping elements'' lower portions being less than that separating said hooks whereby said clamping elements are of a converging configuration from said upper portions to said lower portions.
 8. In combination, a mobile home having an underframe comprising an I beam frame, a base located below said mobile home disposed vertically below said underframe, a base element affixed to said base, a clamp member comprising means for clamping the lower flange of said I beam frame, a pair of spaced clamping elements constituting said clamping means and each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower spacing and tension producing means connecting portion, a tubular spacing sleeve interposed between said clamping element''s lower portions, and a bolt extending through said sleeVe and said lower portions maintaining the assembly of said clamping elements upon the frame beam lower flange, and linearly adjustable tension producing means interposed between and connected to said base element and said sleeve.
 9. In a combination as in claim 8 wherein said sleeve comprises a pair of tubular separable portions of unequal longitudinal length.
 10. In combination, a mobile home having an underframe comprising an I beam frame having a lower flange, a base located below said mobile home disposed vertically below said underframe I beam frame, a base element embedded in said base, a clamp member comprising a pair of spaced clamping elements each having an upper flange engaging portion and a lower tension producing means connecting portion, a hook defined at each of said clamping elements upper portions for engaging the lower flange of the I beam frame, said hooks being separated by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of the I beam frame flange and the distance between said clamping elements lower portions being less than that separating said hooks whereby said clamping elements are of a converging configuration from said upper portions to said lower portions, a tubular spacing sleeve interposed between said clamping elements lower portions, a bolt extending through said sleeve and said lower portions maintaining the assembly of said clamping elements upon said I beam frame lower flange, a chain having a link mounted on said sleeve, and a turnbuckle connected to said chain and said base element for producing tension within said chain. 